20040422: Alert - Java 1.4.2 incompatibilities
To all Traditional Chinese Herbal Science (TCHS) PC-Windows users:
Java Virtual Machine (JVM) 1.4.2 incompatibilities -
Affects TCM Herbal Tutor and TCM Pulse Simulator software
We test our software using current versions of the Java virtual machine (JVM) to verify compatibility on a range of operating systems. We have tested the software on JVM 1.2.x, 1.3.x, and 1.4.0. The version of Java supplied on your CD-ROM is the one recommended for the TCM software (TCM Herbal Tutor and TCM Pulse Simulator). Later releases of Java, just as with operating systems, are usually, but not always, compatible with existing software.
The recent version 1.4.2 creates a number of incompatibilities and we advise you to avoid this version.
Your TCHS software is automatically linked to the latest version of Java already existing on your computer at the time you install it. It remains linked to this version, even if you later install more recent versions of the JVM, such as 1.4.2.
However, if you ever reinstall the TCHS software, you need to take the following steps to make sure that your software is linked with the recommended version of Java that we provide on the CD-ROM:
First, determine to which version of Java your TCM software is currently linked:
Run TCM Herbal Tutor and select "About Herbal Tutor" from the File menu,
then click on the "About this computer".
The 7th line of text should tell you the version: "java.version = ###".
If you are having problems and would like some help, copy this entire "About this computer" information file, paste it into an email, and send it to me.
Also, check to make sure you have the minimum required memory:
WINDOWS:
Windows 95 or later
At least 20 MB free disk space, 128 MB RAM
CD-ROM drive
A Java 1.2 (or later) virtual machine - included on your CD-ROM
If it turns out that you really are linked with Java 1.4.2, then I suggest you do the following. This has corrected errors with several users recently:
- Temporarily remove all later versions of Java from the hard-drive volumes on your computer (on the PC they can usually be found in C:\Program Files\Java...):
- First, I suggest you make a backup copy onto
removable media (CD, Zip Drive, dismountable hard
disk partition, etc.) of the versions of Java that you
will be temporarily removing.
- Then from your main hard drive, drag the later
versions to the Trash or RecycleBin -
but do not empty it, you will want to restore them
later. This "hides" them from the operating system.
- Backup your Progress Files in case they get lost during the installation process.
- If you do not already have the recommended Java VM
installed, install it now using the version provided with
your TCHS CD-ROM; see "Install the Java virtual machine".
- Re-install the TCM software (TCM Herbal Tutor and TCM Pulse
Simulator).
- To check that your TCM software is now linked to the correct
version of Java: run TCM Herbal Tutor (you do not need to
enter the password to do this step) and select "About Herbal
Tutor" from the File menu, then click on the "About this
computer". The 7th line of text that appears should tell you the
version number: "java.version = ###".
- You can now restore the later versions of Java to their
original locations (see step 1), in case other programs on
your computer require these. The TCM software will remain
linked to the older version.
- You may need to reenter the original passwords to activate
the full Professional version of TCM Herbal Tutor and the
TCM Pulse Simulator.
[..end..]
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